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Savvy collectors and artists were hot for the art coming out of Africa in the ’50s and ’60s, and museum founders John and Dominique de Menil acquired more than 80 works from the region now known as Mali. The sculptures, masks and architectural objects were sometimes functional, sometimes ornamental, but they all had something in common. “All of these would have moved. They would have been processed or danced or worn and they would have made sounds,” says Paul R. Davis, curator of collections, who organized the “ReCollecting Dogon” exhibit at The Menil Collection. He’s pairing the objects with photographs, documents, sound recordings and films, plus works by contemporary artists, including attention-grabbing masks by Malian artist Amahigueré Dolo. “Then there are these wonderful drawings that are full of color by Alaye Kene Atô, who has a really tragic story of losing his arm and being able to draw as a therapeutic [response to] losing his arm,” says Davis.
There’s a public program, “Of the World: In Conversation with Artist Amahigueré Dolo,” from 7 to 8 p.m. February 16. Continuing 11 a.m. to 7 p.m. Wednesdays through Sundays. February 3 through July 9. 1533 Sul Ross. For information, call 713-525-9400 or visit menil.org. Free.

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